HERBAL MAGIC FOR BEGINNERS ~ A Witch's Garden

A Witches Garden - Witches Pentacle
The pentacle, the witch's symbol, makes a simple shape for a garden of mixed perennial and annual
flowers. To construct such a garden, find a sunny spot of any size and dig out a circular bed.
Within it, "draw" a pentacle by stringing twine among five posts, set equally distant around the
circle. This will create a central pentagon. Fill it with plants whose names express your craft:
Diana; the daylilies named Merry Witch and Wicked Witch, Witch's Thimble and Moon Witch; and Magic
Lilies, whose flowers bolt surprisingly directly from the ground, to bloom with extravagant
fragrance. Plant the arms of your starry pentacle with light green chamomile around a filling of
darker green mint; then place round clumps of Dianthus Essex Witch at each point of the star.
Surround this whole design with a circle of green parsley,and densely plant dainty sweet alyssum
as the pentacle's background.Your pentacle is now ready to shine back at the night'

SPELL STRUCTURE
Many workers of magic use the essence information regarding the herb to achieve peak effectiveness
in their spells. Just as you would never burn incense in your chalice, you would not use ALOE
(planet: moon, element: water) as a primary plant to raise someone's passion. You would probably
choose DRAGON'S BLOOD (planet: Mars, element: fire) as your primary herb for a passion spell. As
in all magick, you should align your spell to the days of the week and phase of the moon.

Magically, they may act as accelerators or amplifiers to the primary herb. Let's look at this
in-depth. Above we mentioned using Dragon's Blood in a spell to increase passion. Alone, this
would probably do quite well, but to drive the spell home and to obtain the focus I desire, I
would add CINNAMON. Cinnamon (planet: sun, element: fire) acts as an amplifier to many herbs. As
you can see, it has the element Fire in common with Dragon's Blood, but adds the power of the Sun
to the
spell. Cinnamon, alone, has characteristics to increase passion and therefore compliments the main
herb. Just two herbs is awkward (for reasons lost to time, it is difficult to comprehend using an
even number of herbs to cast a spell) so I would probably add GINGER (planet: sun,
element: fire). Ginger is primarily used for love, but since this is a"carrier" herb, I would be
focusing upon its "success" characteristics, and charge it with that intent.

So, my spell would consist of first, charging the Dragon's Blood with my initial intent (to
increase passion), and it then becomes my "main" herb. Then I would focus upon the cinnamon (to
intensify the effects of the main herb), and concentrate upon it as my "amplifier". Then I would
focus upon the successful end result with the ginger as my "carrier" herb.

I would combine these three herbs, in this order, and then charge them all together to create
unity. I could then stuff them into a poppet or sachet and give them to the intended party, or
utilize them as an incense. You will notice that spells of this nature tend to produce results
more quickly. Herbal spells can be extremely intricate, and, face it, you get out of a project
what you put into it.

Finally, we will discuss a LAYERED SPELL, and with this I will give an example of a successful
herbal spell I created. A layered spell is a spell within a spell.

Visualize an onion and you get the idea. My sister was having trouble focusing at work and she was
being inundated by co-worker's negativity. By the end of the day she was stressed and drained of
her personal energies. I chose a Sunday to work the power/calmness spell because Sunday is the day
of healing and employment.

For this spell, I started off with a stick of cinnamon. My intent for this stick of cinnamon was
one of power. I wanted it to be like a capacitor: to lend a burst of energy to my sister when she
needed it most. I raised a significant amount of,energy and sent it all into this stick of
cinnamon. I put it aside care- fully on my pentacle (a cleansed dish or plate will do). Then I
began formulating the rest of the spell.

She needed a sense of calm success at work. I wove a spell including chamomile (planet: Sun,
element: water, essence: money, sleep, relaxation), lavender (planet: Mercury, element: air,
essence: happiness, peace) and lemon grass(planet: Mercury, element: air, essence: psychic
powers). My intent was to help her calmly overcome any obstacles at work (chamomile and lavender),
increase intuition which aids in problem solving (lemon grass), and give her that extra boost of
energy to get through the difficult times (cinnamon).

Each herb, though working together, was charged for a different purpose. I charged each separately
and added them one by one to the sachet (blue satin for healing with runes embroidered upon the
face), and made sure the cinnamon stick was in the center. To finish the spell I visualized the
combined intent of the herbs,raised energy, and sent that magickal energy into the finished
product. So, in essence, I had 4 spells in one.

Herbal magic is not only fun, but it's a diverse way to cause change. It is easily incorporated
into every-day life. Herbal spells can be simple as you need, or complex as you desire.
Experimentation is the key. Do your research and have fun with it. Magic is all around. Herbs
are just one more tool used to initiate change.

How To Do Magic
Because of the very nature of magic, each working should be highly individualized and personal.
Even if following a traditional spell, it should be tailored to your specific needs to be most
effective for you. Understanding the basics of spell construction will enable you to formulate
your own specific, effective spells for any purpose you desire. Preliminary planning is necessary.
The very first step is to decide precisely what your desired end result is to be. Before you can
start, you must decide where you are going. You must be very explicit. It is important, also, that
you choose your time carefully. You shouldtake into consideration all astrological implications,
energy currents and moon phases.The moon is the astronomical body closest to us and, therefore,
has a profound influence upon us, it is very important to choose a time when the moon is in an
astrological sign which is appropriate for your working.

For example:
Aries -- action -- enthusiasm
Taurus -- renewal -- sensuality
Gemini -- communication -- curiosity
Cancer -- emotion -- nurturing
Leo -- vitality -- determined
Virgo -- organizing -- studious
Libra -- balance -- cooperation
Scorpio -- sexual -- philosophical
Sagitarius -- strength -- humour
Capricorn -- authority -- ambitious
Aquarius -- innovation -- social
Pisces -- sensitivity -- idealistic.

Bear in mind that magical workings for gain, increase or bringing things to you, should be
initiated when the moon is waxing (from dark to full); when the moon is waning (from full to
dark), it is time for magical workings of decrease or sending away. The highest energy occurs
at the full moon and, therefore, this is the most powerful time for magical workings. The new moon
is the next most powerful time for magic.

Whenever possible, follow nature's natural energy currents. There is a natural time for starting
things (a planting time), for maturing things (a growing time), for reaping things (a harvest
time) and, of course, a time for rest and planning. Flowing with these currents will make your
magical work much easier.

Remember to plan your project for a time of uninterrupted privacy. It is important that you have
no distractions. Generally speaking, it is best to work as late at night as possible. A time when
there is less frantic energy is most appropriate. You might consider midnight or later. In
choosing a place to do your magical working pay particular attention to your needs, for you must
be comfortable. Your place should be private, quiet and secure.If at all possible, set aside a
special place for this purpose only. An unused room, a special corner of your bedroom, a quiet,
secluded spot in your garden. A place that is yours. A place that you can come to whenever need
arises and that is as free from intrusion of others as possible.

Prior to the night of your magical working, gather together the things that you will need. All of
the things used are tools. They have no inherent magic. They are to help you create a mood. If
correctly made and used, they will trigger primitive responses from deep within you. They should
be chosen with care. Consider the purpose of your ritual and choose your tools accordingly. If
your magic is to be sexual, your candles, oils, incenses and so forth, should bring forth a sexual
response.

If the desired result of your magick is tranquillity, then the tools should make you feel calm,
peaceful and serene. Any candles you might use should not have commercially added fragrances as
these may not be appropriate for your working.

Prior to your ritual, prepare yourself and your equipment by any means necessary to clean and
purify. Historically, people have fasted, followed meticulous and detailed bathing practices,
practiced chastity and used many other methods.Most often a ritual bath is the preferred method. A
bath frequently utilizing candlelight, fragrant herbs, bath salts or sensuous oils. A sumptuous
hot bath, special bathing preparations and appropriate lighting, combined, can create the soothing
effect which will help in the very important step of relaxing and clearing the mind completely of
all mundane thoughts and experiences of the day.

Your ritual bath should, also, begin to set the specific vibrations conducive to your purpose into
motion. You must not only cleanse and purify but must, also, begin to create the type of energy
necessary. Once your purification process has been accomplished, you are now ready to begin.

Proceed to the special place you have previously chosen in which to perform your magic. If at all
possible, you should make use of the primitive responses set into motion by a well chosen piece of
music. Your music should start slowly and build to a rousing climax. As you use your oils,
light your candle or incense (or utilize any other tool you have chosen), you should begin to
further intensify the energy that you have set into motion around you. A high degree of intensity
is vitally important.

The altered state of consciousness that you must reach is not a meditative state. Anything that
interferes with your ability to concentrate upon, reach and control the high energy state
necessary to perform magic should be avoided. Such as, screaming children, a sink full of dirty
dishes, use of alcohol or drugs, etc.

Do not scatter your energy by attempting to do more than one magickal working at a time. Remember
that magic is the manipulation of energy, a thought is a form of energy and a visualization is an
even stronger form of energy. Your visualization can be a method used to intensify further and
direct your will. Your visualization can be the method by which you control the magical energy you
have produced.

You must know what you want. You must see it. You must feel the high energy flow. You must direct
it. One of the most important elements in the practice of any form of magick is the universal law
of cause and effect. This means that whatever you do (or don't do) you cause something to
happen.The most important consideration is the universal law of retribution. This means that no
matter what you do, it comes back to you in like kind. It is the nature of things that as you send
something out it gains momentum, so that, by the time it comes back to you, it is stronger.


COPYRIGHT (C) 1981 BY "THE WITCHING WELL EDUCATION & RESEARCH CENTER"


How Herbs Are Used In Magic
Why Herbs Are Used In Magick
BASIC HERBS
Herbal Guide
Old Time Remedies
A Witch's Garden
Charms and Pouches


Special Thanks
"Lilye"

What a long, strange trip it's been...
Jerry Garcia {1942-95}
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